World Premiere: Beast Machine – Self Titled,debut album!

With their debut album hitting airwaves on the 25th March, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to speak with Beast Machine vocalist/guitarist, Reg Barber.

Occasionally one opportunity can lead to another, and a simple interview turned in to the chance for Noise Pollution to host the world premiere of the Northern NSW bands debut album.Beast Machine are a punk rock infused metal band, that really pave their own way.As the album demonstrates, they are a melting pot of styles that come together to create one unique sound.Listing a diverse range of influences, from Metallica, to Radiohead, the strength behind Beast Machines music is found in its unrivalled energy, and its complete originality.

The musicianship is exceptional too.Moody guitars collide with bombastic bass and frantic drumming to deliver a thoroughly engaging sound.Personally, I couldn’t pay attention to anything else while this album was playing.As far as debuts go, it’s perfect.Listen to Mephisto, Spin, opening number War or the amazing single Crawling, for mere snap shots of Beast Machines capability.Hurricane may just be the high point of the album though – I had to go back and listen to that one all over again.

The album is a refreshing sound, unique and original, and we at Noise Pollution are stoked to be able to offer up the world premiere right now… or at least at the bottom of this article, once you read about the bands formation, the recording of the album, and the future of Beast Machine.

What does the band name mean to you?

The name chose us. It has two meanings although it didn’t start out that way. We have grown into it and now it feels like we’re a big lumbering machine powering down the sonic tracks. We have the loudest and most metronomic drummer in the world, he is a Beast Machine.

Where is the band based?

We’re based in Northern NSW, near Byron Bay.

How long have you been together?

We formed in 2017, went through a few line up changes and now we’ve settled into our current lineup we’ve been playing together since mid 2019.

What style of music do you play?

We call it rock music with a thrash, metal and punk slant.

Give us the story of the bands formation.

We wanted to play music that was exciting to us, influenced by music that was exciting to us. I contacted Josh our drummer to see if he would be interested to write some music and the timing was perfect, he was in between projects. I sent him a bunch of demoes and it grew from there. We still play the first song we ever jammed on.

Tell us about your influences.

Our influences are varied but they all fall under the umbrella of thrash, metal and punk rock music. We have a shared love of anything Mike Patton does though, particularly Dead Cross!

Tell us about your latest release.

We travelled over to the US to play a run of shows late last year. While we were there we hooked up with Luke Gerard Webb who’s an LA based producer. He mostly does pop music these days but he was keen to try and capture what we do live. We went into a studio in Van Nuys with an amazing console and recorded 14 tracks in one day. The whole record is pretty much live except for some guitar and vocal overdubs we did later. We are stoked with how it came out even if it nearly killed us and the van got impounded by some shady tow truck company.

What are your goals for the bands future?

To keep on writing and recording songs. We won best rock song last year at the local NCIEA awards, which is the North Coasts version of the ARIAS, it would be nice to do that again! We are about to embark on a run of local shows to promote the new record but we want to get back over and tour the US again, it was too much fun.

If you could share the stage with any other band or artist, who would you chose?

Faith No More, Dead Cross

What can you tell us about your live shows?

They are amazing and you should come and check one out. If you like your rock music heavy you’re going to have a very fun evening at a Beast Machine show.

Do you have any upcoming gigs to promote?

28/03/20 Seven Mile Brewery

BALLINA NSW

04/04/20 Vinnies Dive Bar

SOUTHPORT QLD

24/04/20 Great Northern Hotel

BYRON BAY NSW

16/05/20 Gollan Hotel

LISMORE NSW

(Note: these shows may currently be subject to postponement or cancellation)

What do you think sets you apart from other bands?

Apart from our incredible physiques and handsome looks we have an amazingly intense live show, and you can’t help but be drowned in waves of sonic pleasure.

Explain why you think a new listener should give your music a go.

Why not? Why not try everything once. We are here for a good time, not a long time. It may not be for you but it may be the perfect fit? Have a listen.

What has been your biggest achievement as a band, so far?

Not getting killed by Mexican gangsters.

What else do you hope to achieve?

A new record by the end of the year, even more amazing and grandiose than this one!